Washing-machine.



NO. 730,170. I

" UNITED STATES Patented June 2, 190s.

PATENT OFFICE;

JAMES F. SMITH, OF AKRON, OI-IIO.

WASHlNQ-MACHINE.

PEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 730,170, dated June 2, 1903. Application filed DecemberQ, 1902. Serial in. 134,543. (No model.) I

To all whom, it may concern: I

Be it known that 1, JAMES F. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Akron,-

in the county of Summit and State of Ohio,

have invent-ed certain new and useful Imclass of washing-machines in which two cylinders are employed-an outer stationary one, and an inner revoluble one, to contain the clothes to be washed-the object of the invention being to provide simple and convenient means for locking the inner cylinder from rotation when it is desired to remove the clothes therefrom and at the same time closing the space between the two cylinders at a point opposite to the hinging point of the swinging door of the inner cylinder, so as to prevent small articles of clothing from falling between said cylinders while removing the clothes.

WVith the above object in view the invention consists in thenovel features of construction hereinafter fully described, particularly pointed out in the claims, and clearly illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an end elevation of a washingmachine provided with my invention; Fig. 2, a transverse sectional view :of the same, the door of the inner cylinder being shown in its opened position and the pivoted member closing the space between the two cylinders;

- Fig. 3, an enlarged detail View showing in perspective the arrangement of levers for actuating said pivoted member; and Fig. i, an enlarged sectional view taken through the sliding locking member andbracket in which it slides, showing also the operating-lever in side elevation.

In the cylinder washing-machines now in general use there is considerable space between the inner and outer cylinders, and

when the clothes are removed from the inner cylinder through the doorway provided therein frequently small articles of clothing fall between said cylinders at a point opposite to the hingingpoint of the door, causing considerable labor and trouble to removethem after they have fallen into this space and. very often marring the articles,when their fall into said space has been unobserved, by the rotation of the cylinder. To avoid this objectionable feature, I have provided my present invention, which, in addition to closing .said space, also simultaneously effects the locking of the inner cylinder from rotation.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates the outer cylinder, having an opening 2' in the top thereof to permit the withdrawal of the clothes from the inner cylinder; 3, the inner cylinder mounted to rotate within the outer one and provided with an opening closed bya swingin g door, 4 through which the contents may be withdrawn, and 5 a gear onthe outer end of a shaft or journal uponwhich A the inner cylinder is mounted, said gear being upon the exterior of the outer cylinder.

The above-specified construction is that of a cylinder washing-machine of ordinary construction, to which my invention is applied.

Mounted upon the end wall of the outer cylinder, adjacent to the gear 5, is a bracket 6, which is grooved longitudinally to receive a sliding locking memberfi, the outer end of which is notched to interlock with the teeth of the gear 5 when moved in engagement therewith. Secured to the bracket, on the grooved side thereof and retaining the locking member in place in said groove, is a plate 8, formed with a longitudinally-extending slot disposed in line with the groove and receiving a pin 10, carried by the sliding locking mem ber. Pivotally mounted at its lower end upon saidbracket, at a point below the sliding lockin g member, is an operating-lever 11, provided, with a spring-held pawl 12, adapted to engage the teeth of a rack 13, formed on the upper edge of the plate 8. This pawl is operated to release the lever by a pivoted member 14:. Said lever-is formed with an elongated slot 15, in which the pin 10 works.

Through cylinder, near the opening 2 and at the front side of the machine, is a longitudinally-extending member or plate 16, formed of light material. This plate is pivotally mounted in the outer cylinder by pintles or pins 16, projecting from the ends thereof at its lower edge, and is capable of being swung downwardly into contact with the periphery of the inner cylinder. For swinging this plate into and out of contact with the inner cylinder a short arm 17 is provided, which is rigidly attached to the outer end of one of the pintles which projects to the exterior of the cylinder, and connecting the lever with said arm 17 is an arm 19, having a pivotal connection with both the arm 17 and said lever. hen the lever is moved in one direction, the locking memher is caused to engage the gear and lock the inner cylinder from rotation and at the same time the plate is swung into position closing the space between the two cylinders at a point opposite to the hinged edge of the door 4. Upon movement of the lever in the reverse direction the locking member is withdrawn from engagement with the gear 5 and the plate swung upward into contact with the inner wall of the outer cylinder.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a washing-machine, the combination with an outer stationary cylinder and an inner revoluble cylinder, of a member adapted to close the space between said cylinders, and means for moving said member into and out of operative position, substantially as described.

2. In a washingmiachine, the combination with an outer stationary cylinder and an inner revoluble cylinder, of a member adapted to close the space between said cylinders, and an operating-lever for swinging said member into and out of operative position, substantially as described.

3. In a washing-machine, the combination with an outer stationary cylinder and an inner revoluble cylinder, of a swinging member mounted upon the interior of the outer cylinder and adapted to close the space between the two cylinders, and an operating-lever upon the exterior of the outer cylinder for swinging said member into and out of operative position, substantially as described.

4. In a washing-machine, the combination with an outer stationary cylinder provided with an opening in its upper wall and an inner revoluble cylinder having a swinging door, of a swinging plate mounted upon the interior of the outer cylinder at a point opposite to the hinging point of the door of the inner cylinder and adapted to close the space between the two cylinders, and means for swinging said plate into and out of operative position, substantially as described.

5. In a washing-machine, the combination with an outer stationary cylinder and an inner revoluble cylinder, 01' a locking member for locking the inner cylinder from rotation, a movable member adapted to close the space between said cylinders, and means for simultaneously actuating said locking member and space-closing member, substantially as described.

6. In a washing-machine, the combination with an outer stationary cylinder and an inner revoluble cylinder, of a sliding member for locking the inner cylinder from rotation, a swinging plate on the interior of the outer cylinder for closing the space between said cylinders, an operating'lever, an operative connection between said lever and locking member, and an operative connection between said lever and swinging plate, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 3d day of May, A. D. 1902, in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES F. SMITH.

lVitnesses:

II. C. PARSONS, J. GREENLEsE. 

